\Ar*tic`u*la"tion\, n. [Cf. F. articulation, fr. L.
articulatio.]
1. (Anat.) A joint or juncture between bones in the skeleton.
Note: Articulations may be immovable, when the bones are
directly united (synarthrosis), or slightly movable,
when they are united intervening substance
(amphiarthrosis), or they may be more or less freely
movable, when the articular surfaces are covered with
synovial membranes, as in complete joints
(diarthrosis). The last (diarthrosis) includes hinge
joints, admitting motion in one plane only (ginglymus),
ball and socket joints (enarthrosis), pivot and
rotation joints, etc.
2. (Bot.)
(a) The connection of the parts of a plant by joints, as
in pods.
(b) One of the nodes or joints, as in cane and maize.
(c) One of the parts intercepted between the joints; also,
a subdivision into parts at regular or irregular
intervals as a result of serial intermission in
growth, as in the cane, grasses, etc. --Lindley.
3. The act of putting together with a joint or joints; any
meeting of parts in a joint.
4. The state of being jointed; connection of parts. [R.]
That definiteness and articulation of imagery.
--Coleridge.
5. The utterance of the elementary sounds of a language by
the appropriate movements of the organs, as in
pronunciation; as, a distinct articulation.
6. A sound made by the vocal organs; an articulate utterance
or an elementary sound, esp. a consonant.